The Cardinals have two of the top four players in Keith Law’s list of top-50 prospects. The Rays have three of the top eight. The Astros have one in the top 50 — at No. 50, to be exact: Jose Altuve. (Keith Law, ESPN.com, premium subscriber content)

Lefthander Derek Holland became the first Rangers pitcher since 1983 to throw back-to-back shutouts, five-hitting the Mariners in a 5-0 victory Thursday. The last Ranger to throw consecutive shutouts: Charlie Hough. In the start before the two shutouts, Holland allowed five runs in 2/3 of an inning. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other pitchers in the past 64 seasons to bounce back from a first-inning knockout to throw consecutive shutouts are the Pirates’ Woodie Fryman in 1966 and the Giants’ Ed Halicki in 1976. (Jeff Wilson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

The Padres wasted yet another sparkling outing by Aaron Harang, frittering away a lead in the ninth and losing in 12 innings to the Giants 6-2. Harang worked seven scoreless innings and turned over a 1-0 lead, only to have Heath Bell surrender a home run for the first time in 99 appearances and 102 innings. In his past seven starts, Harang has allowed seven runs in 46 2/3 innings (1.35 ERA). (Bill Center, San Diego Union Tribune)

Here comes the second half for the Giants, same as the first. Former Astro Aubrey Huff, who was hitting only .236 at the All-Star break, hit the tying home run off of Bell.(Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle)